The homeowners required an additional ground level Master Suite to accommodate aging parents. The objective was to utilize space from the existing footprint of the house to create a Universally Designed bedroom and bathroom that could be adjusted as the father’s health changed or diminished. It was imperative that the bathroom could be adaptable over the years, granting the flexibility to give the maximum level of independence and/or assisted care in the future. To accomplish this goal, we converted unused garage space into an extra bedroom with an ensuite bathroom that incorporated all Seven Universal Design Principles.

The clients desired to carve out space for a new bed/bath suite within the existing footprint of the house; to design the bathroom in a manner that would grant the homeowner’s father independence to comfortably groom, shower, and toilet on his own or with assistance; to design an open concept bathroom that would allow room for a nurse or aide to help groom and bathe the user, if necessary; to design a bathroom that was spacious enough to accommodate a walker, and potentially a wheelchair; to incorporate adjustable lighting and a high contrast color pallet, with an array of textures and materials, to accommodate for a parent with advance macular degeneration; to incorporate the Seven Universal Design Principles including: Equitable Use, Flexibility in Use, Simple and Intuitive Use, Perceptible Information, Tolerance for Error, Low Physical Effort, and Size and Space for Approach and Use; to create a modern look that was as beautiful as the other connected spaces and matched the aesthetic of the rest of the house.

Existing guest bathroom and master bathroom were in need of a cosmetic facelift to go along with the newly added in-law suite. Zero step thresholds, barn door sliding glass door and folding shower bench allow these spaces to grow as the occupants age in place. Bright concrete tile designs on accent walls and master bath floor bring energy to a once dated interior.